One Day For Montclair 2025

The mission of the Ben Samuels Children’s Center at Montclair State University is to be a model of excellence in inclusive early care and education of children from birth through five years.  The Center is committed to examining and implementing the best practices of teaching and learning in a nurturing environment where all children learn, play and grow together.

In support of this mission, we have created a community where:

• Children of differing abilities, needs, cultures, ethnicities, means and family structures are provided with developmentally appropriate activities and services, and where families, staff and university students understand and embrace the value of that diversity.
• Families of children enrolled in the Center are provided with support, assistance and resources in the care and education of their children.
• Future generations of professionals who care for children are educated through research, observation and hands-on experiences of the best practices in early childhood education and development in an inclusive environment.
• Center faculty and students engage in observation and reflection relating to child development, early education, inclusive learning and other related areas.